Paint studios at Hamlin Center for grad students

CORPUS CHRISTI - For many artists the opportunity to have a private studio in which to create, reflect and evaluate is never more than a dream. For Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Master of Fine Arts candidate Lauren Yandell, the availability of a private studio space and a scholarship lured her here.

“My body of work takes on the greatest priority, so a private studio space is beneficial as an environment which is solely dedicated to that of the individual creation process,” Yandell said. “There is a greater sense of artistic freedom as the space can be utilized selfishly without the courtesy concerns involved with a shared environment.

“I feel that these advantages provide for a more pleasant personal experience as it is easier to create and evaluate without distraction.

Designated studio spaces are important to the development of artists studying at the graduate levels, said Jack Gron, professor of art and chairman of the Department of Art.

“Masters’ students need the space to work and grow as well as a place to think and reflect on their art work and the world in which they live,” he said. “It is the primary research environment for masters and master of fine arts candidates.”

Working on the terminal degree in studio art and painting , Yandell is one of many painting graduate students with studio space at the university’s off-campus site in Hamlin Center. The space opened several years ago due to an increase in graduate students and the growing demand for private, accessible studios.

Being next to the Islander Art Gallery not only is beneficial to the students so they can study original works of art, but also so that visitors to the gallery can view the works of art made by the students. The graduate studios often are open during gallery events and enable young artists to obtain feedback from the public as well as sell work to regional collectors.

However, some are concerned the off-campus setting keeps graduate painters separated from other students.

“It becomes hard for the undergraduates to see what the grads are doing,” Andrade said.

For Yandell, the off-campus studios emulate experiences anticipated post-graduate school. She says the off campus studios tend to feel more like an artist co-op than a classroom and that really makes for a meaningful experience.

Elizabeth B. Reese, Ph.D. is an independent scholar, critic, consultant and a visiting professor at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Contact her at elizreese@gmail.com